Stories of
American Heroes -
Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

Eli Thompson Fryer

TAPS

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night.

Arlington National Cemetery
34-120-A

BORN:August 22, 1878 at Hightstown, NJ

Entered Service in the US
Marine Corps from New Jersey

Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Mexican Campaign For heroism on
April 21 - 22, 1914 at Vera Cruz, Mexico

DIED:June
06, 1963 at the age of 84

In an effort to
force out General Victoriano Huerta, who had seized the presidency
of Mexico in a bloody coup d' etat, President Woodrow Wilson sent
three Navy vessels to Vera Cruz under the command of Rear Admiral
Frank Friday Fletcher. On the morning of April 21 nearly 1,500
American combat troops were put ashore, and that night another
1,500 reinforcements landed. By noon on April 22nd the American
forces had taken control of the city. In the two day action
Fletcher lost 17 men killed, 63 wounded. The Mexicans had nearly
800 dead or wounded. Captain Eli Fryer was one of 55 men awarded
the Medal of Honor for this two-day action, and was cited for
"fighting at the head of his company" and "eminent
and conspicuous conduct, leading his men with skill and courage in
both day's fighting."
Though the United States occupied Vera Cruz for seven months
following the initial landing, the men who landed at Vera Cruz on
April 21 - 22 accomplished their mission in two days, and returned
to their vessels within the same week.